Major Tennis Event Coming to Calgary in 2018!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFIRST EDITION OF THE CALGARY NATIONAL BANK CHALLENGER IN 2018The Calgary National Bank Challenger will kick-off October 13at the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis CentreMontreal, January 30, 2018 – Tennis Canada and National Bank announced on Tuesday the launch of anew men’s professional tournament on the ATP Challenger Tour in Calgary. Sanctioned by the ATP, thetournament which offers $75,000 U.S. in total prize money and hospitality to the players, will be held fromOctober 13-21, 2018 at the OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre.

“We are very proud to announce the addition of the Calgary National Bank Challenger to our calendar,”stated Gavin Ziv, Vice-President, Professional and National Events at Tennis Canada. “Calgary is anemerging tennis market, especially with the opening of the new Tennis Centre. We are pleased to offermore and more professional tournaments on Canadian soil. These tournaments give our players thechance to accumulate important points in the rankings and to compete against international playerswithout having to leave the country.”

The Calgary National Bank Challenger joins a series of tournaments on the Challenger Tour sponsoredby National Bank. Calgary joins a list that already includes tournaments in Drummondville, Gatineau,Granby, Saguenay and Winnipeg.

“The Bank is pleased to partner up with the new Calgary Challenger and increase its involvement indeveloping tennis nationally. The Challenger will put on a good show for local tennis enthusiasts andgenerate positive economic benefits. It’s great news for the region and we’re proud to be a part of it,”stated Yann Jodoin, Senior Vice-President – Marketing at National Bank.

Calgary was already hosting a professional event, the Men’s Futures tournament since 2013, but thearrival of the National Bank Challenger will help to further the development of tennis in the province ofAlberta. The new OSTEN & VICTOR Alberta Tennis Centre opened its doors in 2016 and last year, theDavis Cup play-off between Canada and India was held in Edmonton.

“We look forward to showcasing the best up and coming players on the ATP World Tour,” stated DannyDa Costa, General Manager of OSTEN and VICTORIA Alberta Tennis Centre and Tournament director.“We are confident that hosting the Calgary National Bank Challenger will create opportunities to growtennis participation in Calgary but also in the province of Alberta. This event will also inspire a newgeneration of Canadian tennis players.”

This announcement has been well received by the Canadian players who will have another opportunity toplay at home. “This is obviously good news for all of our young Canadian players. It is actually thanks to the NationalBank Challengers that I was able to make my debut on the professional circuit, " commented Félix Auger-Aliassime. “I am excited about the prospect of playing in this tournament. I have always had good experiencesplaying tournaments in Calgary and I am looking forward to being able to play on the courts at the newTennis Centre,” stated Filip Peliwo.

About Tennis CanadaFounded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association with a mission to lead the growth of tennisin Canada and a vision to become a world-leading tennis nation. We value teamwork, passion, integrity, innovation andexcellence. Tennis Canada owns and operates the premier Rogers Cup presented by National Bank WTA and ATPWorld Tour events, 8 professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports 15 other professional tournaments inCanada. Tennis Canada operates junior national training centres/programs in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, theCanadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer,sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and all wheelchair, juniorand senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on TennisCanada please visit our Web site at: www.tenniscanada.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.-30-